Enhancing foam rheological properties using water-soluble thickener

Abstract

An aqueous wellbore fluid may include a surface active agent package in an amount ranging from 1 to 20 gpt, a thickener in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 0.3 wt. %, and an aqueous base fluid. The surface active agent package may include an α-olefin sulfonate, a terpenoid, and isopropyl alcohol. The thickener may include a biopolymer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing formation, the method comprising:
 injecting into the hydrocarbon-containing formation a wellbore fluid that comprises a surface active agent package, a thickener, and an aqueous base fluid, wherein the surface active agent package comprises an α-olefin sulfonate, a terpenoid, and isopropyl alcohol, and wherein the wellbore fluid comprises the surface active agent package in an amount in the range of 1 to 20 gallons per thousand gallons (gpt) and the thickener in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 wt. %; 
 injecting into the hydrocarbon-containing formation a gas that mixes with the wellbore fluid, generating a foam in the formation,
 wherein the generated foam has a viscosity at 50° C. of 80 to 200 cP and at 100° C. of 60 to 140 cP; 
 
 introducing a fluid into the hydrocarbon-containing formation, thereby displacing hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-containing formation; and 
 recovering the hydrocarbons. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the wellbore fluid and the gas are co-injected. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the gas is injected after the wellbore fluid. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hydrocarbon-containing formation comprises a zone of high permeability and a zone of low permeability. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the generated foam has a viscosity that is 1.1 to 10 times that of the wellbore fluid before foaming. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface active agent package comprises the α-olefin sulfonate in an amount in the range of 20 to 30 wt. %. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface active agent package comprises the isopropyl alcohol in an amount in the range of 20 to 30 wt. %. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface active agent package comprises the terpenoid in an amount in the range of 10 to 20 wt. %. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the thickener is hydroxyethylcellulose. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the terpenoid is citrus terpenes. 
     
     
       11. A method for enhancing the recovery of hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon-containing formation, the method comprising:
 injecting into the hydrocarbon-containing formation a wellbore fluid that comprises a surface active agent package, a thickener, and an aqueous base fluid, wherein the surface active agent package comprises an α-olefin sulfonate, a terpenoid, and isopropyl alcohol, and wherein the wellbore fluid comprises the surface active agent package in an amount in the range of 1 to 20 gallons per thousand gallons (gpt) and the thickener in an amount in the range of 0.01 to 0.3 wt. %; and 
 injecting into the hydrocarbon-containing formation a gas that mixes with the wellbore fluid, generating a foam in the formation,
 wherein the generated foam has a viscosity at 50° C. of 80 to 200 cP and at 100° C. of 60 to 140 cP. 
 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the wellbore fluid and the gas are co-injected. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the gas is injected after the wellbore fluid. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the hydrocarbon-containing formation comprises a zone of high permeability and a zone of low permeability. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the generated foam has a viscosity that is 1.1 to 10 times that of the wellbore fluid before foaming. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the surface active agent package comprises the α-olefin sulfonate in an amount in the range of 20 to 30 wt. %. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the surface active agent package comprises the isopropyl alcohol in an amount in the range of 20 to 30 wt. %. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the surface active agent package comprises the terpenoid in an amount in the range of 10 to 20 wt. %. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the thickener is hydroxyethylcellulose. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the terpenoid is citrus terpenes.